CoatingsPro Interview Series

Gregory Muha, Director of Conferences, Exhibits, and Sponsorships, responds to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo . Held from March 3-7 in New Orleans, discussion topics include what attendees can expect at the show; highlights of the 2024 schedule; feedback-based changes from previous years, including a greater emphasis on coatings content; and how...

Chris O’Brien, founder and president of Polymer Nation, and Michael Douglass, technical director, join a sponsored episode of the CoatingsPro Interview Series with insight on the evolution of coatings technologies. Topics include areas of growth and concern in the industry; common challenges that need to be overcome; which technologies could make the biggest jump in the years ahead; and the impact...

As part of a new task force, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is bringing together stakeholders from a variety of roles to better understand the relationship that corrosion engineering systems have within the infrastructure insurance industry.  In this conversation, members involved with that task force— GPI ’s Tony Serdenes, Nick Kuntz of  Alliant Insurance Services...

Stephanie Chizik, Editor-in-Chief of CoatingsPro Magazine, shares key takeaways and observations from the recently completed 2024 World of Concrete (WOC) show in Las Vegas. Topics include common feedback themes and areas of interest for exhibitors and attendees; year-over-year market changes; memorable WOC highlights; and an early look at marquee trade shows on tap for upcoming weeks.

On April 30 and May 1 in Houston, AMPP is welcoming members and guests throughout the industry to the first  Coatings for Non-Coating Inspectors  conference. Jorge T. Reyna, conference chair and a certified inspector ( JRSA Inspections ) and instructor, explains the many benefits for attendees and how it all came to be. Topics discussed include key challenges that non-coating inspectors often face...

Dave Evans, director of business development at AMPP, explains what the newly released Industrial Coating Application ( ICA ) program could mean for members and the industry at large. Topics include how and why the new program was developed; updated features and opportunities to address current marketplace needs; and how it could help shape AMPP’s future  education and training offerings .

In this sponsored episode, Bullard CEO Wells Bullard looks ahead to the future of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the protective coatings industry and beyond. The discussion spotlights her vision for the company and the importance of its family lineage and history; feedback from clients regarding marketplace needs; and industry trends and new technologies to watch for within the PPE space....

Organized by the AMPP Malaysia Chapter,  the inaugural Malaysia Painters Competition 2023 was held in Teluk Kalung, Terengganu, Malaysia, on August 19.  With free registration, the event featured networking; opportunities to learn painting skills from peers; and sourcing for products, services, and the latest in cutting-edge technologies.  The event’s primary objective was to showcase the skills o...

In a panel discussion, AMPP members Cal Chapman (Chapman Engineering) and Sandy Williamson (Williamson Integrity Services) share perspective on what sustainability means to them and why it is so important to the coatings industry and beyond. Topics include ways in which sustainability is already being practiced in corrosion control; its impact on business; trends and new technologies to watch for;...

Job Coenen, AkzoNobel ’s sustainability program manager and a strategic global corporate advisory board member of the World Green Building Council, explains how sustainable solutions for the built environment can combat the challenges of producing more green buildings. Discussion topics include the role of circularity in product development; science-based targets and goals; and how new technologie...

Stephanie Chizik, Editor-in-Chief of CoatingsPro Magazine, joins Ben DuBose, News Editor with AMPP Publications, to discuss CoatingsPro’s annual Contractor Awards . With the 2024 nomination window open now and extending through Oct. 31, 2023, the conversation addresses many frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the program, along with reasons to get involved and potential perks for winners.

Based near St. Louis, Mo., Eric Nenninger is a founding partner of 62Archer Inspection and Consulting and a member of CoatingsPro Magazine’s 2023 Editorial Advisory Group. In all, Nenninger has served the industrial coatings field for close to 20 years. Having worked for application companies, paint manufacturers, and inspection firms, Nenninger has a broad knowledge of the industry. He is a NACE...

The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) recently proposed a new rule for the construction industry that explicitly requires properly fitted personal protective equipment (PPE). While OSHA currently requires construction employers to provide and maintain PPE, this would be the first time it instructs employers to provide PPE that actually fits each employee. Joe Brandel, busin...

Alexandre Correa, CEO of Gerdau Graphene , shares his perspective on the past, present, and future of nanomaterials and graphene in the coatings market. Topics include possible improvements in technical performance; overcoming challenges such as scale; potential changes for applicators; and future priorities for the company.

DeFelsko Corp., a leading U.S. manufacturer of coating thickness gages and inspection instruments, is a multi-generational, family-owned company that has supplied simple, durable, and accurate instruments to the global coatings industry since 1965. Since 2019, Michael Beamish has served as vice president and general manager of the equipment provider. He has degrees in mechanical engineering and la...

Katie Chrobak, associate director of digital adoption for PPG’s architectural coatings business, explains our industry’s challenge of building appropriate digital solutions, tools, and platforms while simultaneously helping painters and professionals adopt those technologies. With a new PPG Paints app, the paints and coatings manufacturer is hoping to address those evolving user preferences.

As of April 2023, Alan Thomas is now CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance ( AMPP ), replacing Bob Chalker. In this chat with Ben DuBose, AMPP’s News Editor, Thomas discusses his past career experience in coatings and the process leading to his appointment. Other topics include insight on his initial priorities as CEO; key takeaways from the recent AMPP Annual Conference...

Ryan Amato, owner of Amato Painting and Lehigh Valley Epoxy Floors in Easton, Pa., chats with CoatingsPro Magazine after his company’s third-place win in the 2023 CoatingsPro  Contractor Awards . Topics include lessons learned from that job and keys to success, along with insight on industry trends , feedback from the field, and workforce development strategies. Amato also shares his company’s inn...

Charles (Charlie) Brown, deputy director of coatings at Greenman-Pedersen, Inc., joins CoatingsPro Magazine’s “member profile” series with reflections on nearly 40 years in the industry. Topics include the evolution of coatings and market trends over that time; Brown’s advice for the next generation; and how associations such as AMPP, NACE International, and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatin...

John Salvadore, director of portfolio management at paints and coatings manufacturer PPG, joins the CoatingsPro Interview Series to discuss trends from the marketplace. Topics discussed on this episode include the increasingly multi-functional nature of coatings and their technical properties; how manufacturers are developing new products to comply with sustainability standards; ways that supplier...

Sonny Arwood, president and CEO of Ohio-based Fluid Applied Roofing , chats with CoatingsPro Magazine regarding key trends and market insights involving the roof coatings industry. With experience working as a contractor, manufacturer, and in growing his own business, Arwood shares a number of lessons learned from his distinguished career.

Jeremy Sukola, water and wastewater market manager at coatings, linings, and fireproofing manufacturer  Carboline , joins our podcast to discuss key industry trends, feedback from the marketplace, and much more.    Discussion topics include lessons learned over Sukola’s distinguished career; education initiatives, technical development, and other resources available from Carboline to address marke...

Brandon Acker, president of Titan Abrasive Systems , discusses key criteria for contractors and other users to consider as they evaluate blast media, blasting equipment, and other elements of the blasting process for surface preparation. Topics include the purpose of abrasive blasting and its real-life application; why abrasive blasting is crucial the coatings application process, and how it can i...

Based in Edmonton, Canada, Dr. Harry Tsaprailis is the protective coatings subject matter expert (SME) at energy infrastructure company Enbridge . In this member profile with CoatingsPro Magazine, “Harry T” shares his perspective on important industry priorities entering 2023, along with the role of AMPP in addressing those challenges and enhancing his career growth.

Based near Seattle, Wash., Clark Branum has become one of the most respected voices in the decorative concrete finishing industry as a result of four decades of exemplary work. He currently runs his own contract company, Advanced Concrete Coatings, while also serving as technical director for SUNDEK Products and as a decorative concrete specialist for the American Society of Concrete Contractors (...